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A customer's old carpet pad made me rethink my whole approach
I was doing a tear-out in a house from the 80s and found the original pad. It was this thin, brown, almost paper-like stuff, nothing like the thick foam we use now. The homeowner said, 'That pad lasted 35 years and the carpet on top was fine when we replaced it.' I always push for the thickest, plushest pad I can sell, thinking it's better for the carpet's life. But seeing that old pad still intact made me stop. Maybe a super thick pad lets the carpet move too much and wear faster? I've been reading up on it since, and some guys say a firmer, thinner pad gives better support for the backing. Has anyone else found that an older, thinner pad held up better than they expected?
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annawebb6mo ago
Yeah, that "thin, brown, almost paper-like stuff" you found is a real eye opener. I pulled up a 90s pad last year that was like cardboard, and the carpet backing was still perfect. Now I'm careful not to oversell the super thick stuff. For a busy hallway last month, I used a firm 5/16" pad instead of a 1/2" sponge, and the installer said it felt way more stable underfoot. The customer loved it too.
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amy4836mo ago
So you're saying that old thin pad actually protected the carpet better over time? @annawebb that makes total sense, like how a firm bike tire gives you more control than a super squishy one. I've seen thick pads break down and let the carpet buckle in high traffic spots. Maybe we've all been sold on cushion when we really need support.
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taylor.amy6mo ago
That 5/16" pad you used, was it a specific type like a felt or rubber? I'm trying to figure out if the material matters as much as the thickness for that stability.
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